"Acres of Diamonds" is the third episode of the fourth season of the American period crime drama television series Boardwalk Empire.
The series follows Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rises to prominence and interacts with mobsters, politicians, government agents, and the common folk who look up to him.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.87 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and character development, but critcizing the pacing and lack of progress.
While their ruse proves to be successful, Gillian is later recognized at a diner by a former friend of Roger and starts to talk about his actions until Roy forces him to leave.
In August 2013, HBO confirmed that the third episode of the season would be titled "Acres of Diamonds", and that it would be written by series creator Terence Winter, and directed by Allen Coulter.
[1] In its original American broadcast, "Acres of Diamonds" was seen by an estimated 1.87 million household viewers with a 0.7 in the 18-49 demographics.
Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "This week, Boardwalk Empire covers a considerable swath of geography, leaping up and down the East Coast and taking a detour into Wisconsin.
We get to see Dr. Narcisse make cagey new alliances with both Rothstein and Dunn Purnsley, we see Richard's attempt at a peaceful retirement fall apart when his sister Emma is forced to kill a man to save his life, and we see Gillian get understandably shaken up when she runs into a friend of the late Jimmy lookalike Roger.
"[7] Rodrigo Perez of IndieWire wrote, "A bridge building type of narrative, the worst example of 'chess piece' writing is an episode wherein almost nothing really happens and instead the seeds are sown for action down the road.
Sure, something always happens, but the worst offenders are overt about the fact that every dramatic event that took place is simply in service for a bigger narrative beat down line — episodes turn into a long lead ramp to the main event which renders middle episodes a type of slow-moving stasis.
"[8] Chris O'Hara of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Yes, there was a lot of talk about the future on 'Acres of Diamond,' but the past played catch up with Gillian and Richard and Eli's son just tried to fit in with his classmates.
"[10] Paste gave the episode a 6.2 out of 10 rating and wrote, "That's some very diffuse action, and yes, with so many settings it creates an epic feel.